'Will play 70-80 Tests': Harshit Rana identified as India's next big star

Former Delhi pacer and prominent coach NS Negi has made a bold prediction about Harshit Rana after the young pacer made a stunning Test debut in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia. His meteoric rise from a net bowler to raising talent for Indian cricket has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The young pacer, who started making waves by joining Gujarat Titans as a net bowler, made headlines with a sensational performance in his debut Test match, helping India crush Australia by a staggering 295 runs in Perth. It was India’s biggest overseas victory by runs.

NS Negi predicts glorious future for Harshit Rana after dream Test debut in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Having already shown glimpses of his talent by helping Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to IPL glory in 2024, Harshit Rana delivered on the grandest stage, claiming 3/48 in the first innings and 1/69 in the second in the high-voltage five-match Test series opener against Australia.

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His lethal pace and precision on the lively Perth pitch left the Australian batting lineup in tatters as India took a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Well, the story of Harshit’s rise is incomplete without his mentor, NS Negi, who has been instrumental in shaping his career since his U19 days in Delhi.

Witnessing his student dismantling Australia’s formidable batting line-up, Negi couldn’t contain his pride and proudly predicted a glorious future for Harshit Rana, saying the youngster would become a multi-format bowler and a Test cricket stalwart for India in the coming years.

Harshit is a very talented bowler: NS Negi

With his ability to exploit seaming conditions and deliver under pressure, Harshit is already being hailed as India’s next big thing in pace bowling, and Negi announced him as a serious contender for India’s multi-format bowling arsenal.

NS Negi was quoted as saying by PTI: “Harshit is a very talented bowler. He had been bowling extremely well in the last two seasons of the Ranji Trophy. Last year, when I was the fielding coach of the Delhi Ranji team, he made his debut and bowled extremely well. It is just the beginning; he is one such player who should go on and play at least 70-80 Test matches for India... In fact, he should go on and play all three formats for India.”

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He recalled, “In 2018, when I was the head coach of the Delhi U19 team, I noted that he had a very smooth action and a good rhythm. He could bat well. He worked on his fitness and pace and gradually improved as a bowler.”

The coach calls Harshit Rana a fighter

Negi signed off by saying, “The most important thing is that he is a fighter. When I first picked Mayank (Yadav) and Harshit in the team, they were both very raw but promising. I just hope that he continues to work on his fitness and gradually keeps increasing his pace.”

In just 10 first-class matches, Harshit has showcased his bowling brilliance, taking 43 wickets at an impressive average of 24.00. He also has a stellar batting average of 42.63 in red-ball cricket, which includes a stunning unbeaten knock of 122 against the North-East Zone.